• What size congregations are using Stephen Ministry?

Enrolled congregations range in size from fewer than 100 to more than 10,000 members.

 

• How many congregations are involved in Stephen Ministry?

More than 7,000 worldwide.  About 500 new congregations enroll each year.

 

• How many countries have congregations enrolled in Stephen Ministry?

The United States and Canada account for most Stephen Series congregations.  There also are Stephen Series congregations in 20 other countries on six continents.

 

• How many denominations are using Stephen Ministry?

More than 90, including Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics,  Baptists, Assemblies of God, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Churches of God, Nazarenes, Reformed, United Church of Christ, and Salvation Army.

 

• What impact does Stephen Ministry have on the pastor?

Stephen Ministry gives the pastor an opportunity to train laypeople  in Christian caregiving so more people can receive one-to-one care who otherwise might not receive care.  The pastor has the satisfaction of equipping people for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12) and the joy of seeing more people receiving care than the pastor alone could reach.

 

• Who are Stephen Ministers?

Stephen Ministers are people whom Stephen Leaders train and commission to provide one-to-one care.  They receive an initial 50 hours of training and then meet twice monthly with their Stephen Leaders for supervision, support, and continuing education.

 

• What types of situations are Stephen Ministers trained to handle?

Stephen Ministers give one-to-one care to individuals who are facing a wide variety of situations, ministering to those who are bereaved, divorced or separated, terminally ill, unemployed, hospitalized, homebound, lonely, experiencing spiritual struggles, and more.

 

• Are there times that a Stephen Minister should not be assigned?

Yes. First of all, Stephen Ministers work with individuals. They do not work with couples or families. Since they are caregivers, not counselors, they do not work in situations that require the skills of a trained professional. They are, however, taught how to recognize a possible need for professional help and how to make a referral.

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